DALLAS and RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Business PC users now have a new, affordable option to access broadband-speed
Internet via their ThinkPad notebook PCs thanks to a new alliance announced
today by AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) and Ericsson.
The collaboration significantly lowers the price premium usually associated
with built-in mobile broadband technology by up to $150 per PC from previous
pricing.
Under the agreement, AT&T's 3G service -- the nation's fastest 3G
network -- is available on a full range of Lenovo ThinkPad notebooks, which
come factory-equipped with Ericsson built-in mobile broadband modules that are
enabled for AT&T LaptopConnect(1). The service provides extensive broadband
access both domestically and internationally(2).
All three of the ThinkPad SL notebooks and all notebooks in Lenovo's T and
X series are included in the offering. Customers who purchase the ThinkPad
notebooks with the embedded mobile broadband(3) and establish an account with
AT&T will receive 30 days of free(4) AT&T DataConnect service. The notebooks
are sold directly through http://www.lenovo.com.
The agreement provides significant opportunity for small and medium
businesses, in particular, to meet their needs for wireless PC connectivity.
Among the highlights of the service are:
-- Exceptional coverage(5) -- AT&T 3G service is available today in more
than 320 major U.S. metropolitan areas, and by year-end, AT&T expects to offer
3G coverage in nearly 350 major metro areas. AT&T customers can also use their
AT&T-powered notebooks in more than 150 countries, including more than 60
countries with 3G networks. Additionally, Lenovo has designed multiple
antennas and maximized its placement in the new ThinkPad notebooks to achieve
enhanced wireless performance.
-- Fast access -- AT&T LaptopConnect subscribers can realize typical
download speeds between 700 kilobits per second (Kbps) and 1.7 megabits per
second (Mbps). Typical uplink speeds range between 500 Kbps and 1.2 Mbps.
Ericsson's integrated mobile broadband modules for high speed packet access
(HSPA) will enable access to these speeds in the new notebooks.
-- Upfront IT savings -- The new ThinkPad notebooks with AT&T
LaptopConnect are available at approximately the same price as a Lenovo
notebook without high speed mobile broadband technology, a savings of up to
$150 per notebook from previous pricing.
-- Long-term IT savings -- Users can enjoy their embedded mobile broadband
service throughout the life of the notebook. A recent report by Gartner found
"that 3G service offerings are becoming sufficiently stable to enable an
embedded notebook solution to last three years without an upgrade(6)."
The announcement comes as wireless data use and the adoption of high speed
mobile broadband connectivity on notebook computers continue to skyrocket.
Gartner forecasts embedded modem sales to have a compound annual growth rate
of 94.3 percent worldwide from 2008 to 2012(7).
"We have seen mobile data consumption quadruple every year for the past
three years," said Michael Woodward, vice president of Mobility Business
Marketing for AT&T's wireless operations. "Customers recognize the benefits of
enhanced connectivity on their notebook computers, and this increase in
consumption reflects that. The program we've developed with Lenovo and
Ericsson is a simple, affordable response to this trend that we expect will be
welcomed by business customers and mobile professionals."
Philippe Davy, vice president of Strategic Alliances and Emerging Products
for Lenovo, said: "We've engineered our ThinkPad notebooks to provide an
exceptional wireless experience. By working with industry leaders, Ericsson
and AT&T, we've found a way to package the highest levels of wireless
performance into a business model that gives users an affordable connectivity
solution."
Mats Norin, vice president of Mobile Broadband Modules for Ericsson, said:
"As users continue to demand high-performance connectivity solutions, Ericsson
mobile broadband modules are an essential building block in providing a
simple, secure and superior experience. Beyond providing excellent
engineering, we are committed to working with industry leaders to shape a
complete, end-to-end solution to drive increased mobile broadband adoption."
This program is the latest in a series of joint initiatives involving AT&T
and Lenovo. AT&T and Lenovo are the major technology sponsors of the AT&T
Williams team, which has been combining the companies' computing and
communications skills to enhance the Formula One team's performance since
January 2007.
1 Monthly AT&T DataConnect Plan required.
2 International DataConnect Plan required.
3 AT&T mobile broadband service not available in all areas. Check coverage
area before purchase. All offers subject to availability. Lenovo
reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any
time without notice.
4 30 day FREE service offer: Requires activation of qualifying Lenovo
notebook on qualifying $60 AT&T DataConnect plan with a two year term.
After activation, a credit equal to the amount of the one monthly
recurring charge will be applied to subscriber's account. Early
Termination Fee: None if cancelled in first 30 days; thereafter $175
decreasing $5 for each full month of the term completed by subscriber.
5 Based on global coverage.
6 Gartner, Inc. Forecast: Wireless Data Cards and Embedded Modems,
Worldwide, 2005-2012 by Hugues J. De La Vergne and Michael J. King, June
25, 2008.
7 Changes Coming for Embedded 3G in Notebooks, by Ken Dulaney and Leslie
Fiering, April 28, 2008.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its
subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of
AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings
are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and
the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services.
In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and
advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM
organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as
communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy,
AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked
No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company
list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided
by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.
(C) 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T
logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual
Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein
are the property of their respective owners.
Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part
of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss. For more information and detailed
disclaimer information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom
at http://www.att.com/newsroom.
About Ericsson
Ericsson is the world's leading provider of technology and services to
telecom operators. The market leader in 2G and 3G mobile technologies,
Ericsson supplies communications services and manages networks that serve more
than 195 million subscribers. The company's portfolio comprises mobile and
fixed network infrastructure, and broadband and multimedia solutions for
operators, enterprises and developers. The Sony Ericsson joint venture
provides consumers with feature-rich personal mobile devices. Ericsson is
advancing its vision of 'communication for all' through innovation,
technology, and sustainable business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more
than 70,000 employees generated revenue of USD 27.9 billion (SEK 188 billion)
in 2007. Founded in 1876 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is
listed on OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm and NASDAQ.
About Lenovo
Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is dedicated to building the world's best
engineered personal computers. Lenovo's business model is built on innovation,
operational efficiency and customer satisfaction as well as a focus on
investment in emerging markets. Formed by Lenovo Group's acquisition of the
former IBM Personal Computing Division, the company develops, manufactures and
markets reliable, high-quality, secure and easy-to-use technology products and
services worldwide. Lenovo has major research centers in Yamato, Japan;
Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, China; and Raleigh, North Carolina. For more
information see http://www.lenovo.com.
